Panchanand Thakur reimagines paan with Mast Banarasi Paan, blending tradition and modernity to build a premium brand with global ambitions.
When most MBA graduates step into the corporate world, they dream of cushy jobs, plush offices, and fast-track promotions. Panchanand Thakur, or P.N. Thakur as he’s known professionally, chose a very different path. Today, he is the CEO of Celebrities Banarasi Paan Pvt. Ltd., the company behind the fast-growing brand Mast Banarasi Paan, a modern take on one of India’s oldest indulgences.
“People would ask me, ‘MBA karke paan bechoge?’” Thakur recalls with a smile. “Some even mocked me, saying this business was only for uneducated people. But I knew there was a love for paan that cut across every social class. It just needed a fresh presentation.”
Armed with an MBA and a degree from the prestigious Banaras Hindu University, Thakur had seen firsthand how businesses could transform industries with strategy, quality, and branding. But it wasn’t spreadsheets or corporate boardrooms that inspired him. It was something far simpler: the sight of people enjoying paan but hesitating to step into dingy, unhygienic shops.
“Everyone enjoyed eating paan,” Thakur explains. “But very few wanted to enter those small, traditional shops. There was a stigma attached about hygiene, social image, and class. That’s when I realized the love for paan was there, but the experience needed reinvention.”
Instead of treating paan as an old-fashioned street snack, Thakur envisioned it as a premium product with standardized recipes, trained staff, café-like outlets, and modern interiors. Hygiene and consistency were to be non-negotiable.
The first outlet was modest, but its clean, organized look caught people’s attention. Customers were surprised, even delighted: “How can paan be served like this?” The overwhelmingly positive response confirmed Thakur’s belief that Mast Banarasi Paan was on to something big.
Starting out, the challenges were daunting. “Convincing investors was nearly impossible at first. No one wanted to put money in ‘paan,’” Thakur says. Hiring was no easier. “People didn’t want to work in a paan café. So I started small, with my own savings and a very small team who believed in me.”
The skepticism wasn’t just financial. It was social. Many dismissed the idea outright. But Thakur stayed focused on the fundamentals: product quality, consistent service, and a memorable customer experience.
“Every time I saw people enjoying paan, I knew the love for this product was real,” he says. “I just had to change the way it was presented.” This relentless commitment to reimagining tradition soon paid off, transforming Mast Banarasi Paan from a single outlet into a recognizable brand.
The first Mast Banarasi Paan store wasn’t lavish, but it stood out from anything customers had seen before. Spotless counters, uniformed staff, and neatly displayed ingredients replaced the usual cramped kiosks.
“It was clean, organized, and welcoming. People were curious, and that curiosity turned into loyalty,” Thakur recalls. Word spread quickly, proving that an age-old product could attract a new generation of consumers if delivered with style and professionalism.
The brand doesn’t just sell paan. It curates an experience. From the texture of the betel leaves to the precise blend of flavors, every element is standardized.
The outlets offer café-style seating, ensuring customers feel comfortable staying and savoring their paan rather than grabbing it on the go.
The menu, while rooted in tradition, also experiments with contemporary twists, a blend of nostalgia and novelty. The brand represents what Thakur calls “tradition with modernity,” appealing both to purists and to young urban customers eager to try something fresh.
Thakur’s story underscores a vital entrepreneurial lesson: great ideas are often hiding in plain sight. While many chase “hot” industries, he found opportunity in something timeless yet overlooked.
“People said I was wasting my degree and my future,” he admits. “But I’ve learned that conviction matters more than credentials. If you believe in your product and work tirelessly on quality, the market will eventually believe in you too.”
This grit, the willingness to push forward despite doubt and mockery, has been central to Mast Banarasi Paan’s success. The business wasn’t built on overnight funding rounds or media buzz. It was built brick by brick, customer by customer.
Today, Thakur’s ambitions stretch far beyond India. “Our vision is to take Mast Banarasi Paan from being a national brand to becoming a global identity for Indian culture and flavors,” he says.
Over the next five years, the company plans to expand aggressively into Asia, the Middle East, Europe, and the United States, turning the humble paan into an international cultural ambassador.
If successful, Mast Banarasi Paan could redefine how the world sees this centuries-old delicacy—not as a roadside snack but as a premium product representing the richness of Indian tradition.
Asked what lessons he’d share with young entrepreneurs, Thakur doesn’t hesitate:
Trust your instincts: “If you see a real gap in the market, don’t ignore it just because others don’t see it.”
Start small but stay focused: “Begin with what you have. Perfect the basics before thinking big.”
Ignore the noise: “People will doubt you, sometimes even ridicule you. If you believe in your vision, keep going.”
Make quality your foundation: “Trends come and go, but consistency and quality never fail.”
These principles, Thakur believes, are what turn ordinary businesses into enduring brands.
From being told “MBA karke paan bechoge?” to building one of India’s most distinctive food brands, Panchanand Thakur’s journey is a testament to the power of vision, resilience, and rethinking tradition.
Mast Banarasi Paan is not just elevating an age-old product—it is changing how people perceive it, creating opportunities for employees, and giving India a new cultural export to be proud of.
Follow the journey, visit an outlet, or get involved with the brand as it expands globally:
Website: www.mastbanarasipaan.com
LinkedIn: P.N. Thakur
Instagram: @mastbanarasipaan
Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a paan lover curious about this bold reinvention, one thing is clear: Mast Banarasi Paan is proof that even the most traditional products can have a modern and global future.
I am an entrepreneur, marketer, and mentor with a certification in entrepreneurship from IIT Delhi, one of the most prestigious institutions in India. I have a passion for connecting businesses with their ideal customers, solving real-world problems, and inspiring the next generation of founders.I founded and lead DevoByte, a digital marketing agency that provides a range of services, from SEO a
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